Lamborghini Builds Its 12,000th Gallardo

When it comes to mainstream automobiles, building 12,000 of any particular model isn’t cause for celebration. Last year, for example, Ford sold 73,716 Mustangs, which means it probably built 12,000 copies in around eight weeks. Chevy sold 81,299 Camaros, so production likely hit 12,000 units in around seven weeks.

The Lamborghini Gallardo, however, isn’t a mainstream automobile. First launched in 2003, the Gallardo remains an object of desire for supercar fans the world over, and Lamborghini recently marked the production of the 12,000th Gallardo model with a post on Twitter.

In the world of supercars, that’s a milestone achievement, undoubtedly helped by the variety of Gallardo models available. Purists can opt for the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni edition, which sends its 542 horsepower to the rear wheels only.

Those blessed with a higher degree of sanity will likely opt for the 552 horsepower, all-wheel-drive LP 560-4, which can be had in both coupe and roadster forms. If maximum performance is your goal, there’s the 562 horsepower LP-570-4 Superleggera, which givers drivers more horsepower in a lighter package.

Ten years is a long time to build a single model without significant changes, and rumors of a Gallardo replacement (named the Cabrera, perhaps) have been circulating for quite a while. Whatever model ultimately does replace the Gallardo, it will have some serious shoes to fill.